'Noticeable' rise in UAE children suffering issues linked to excessive screen time
Doctors in the UAE are reporting a growing number of children suffering from issues such as difficulty sleeping and concentrating that are linked to excessive screen time, prompting warnings that restrictions on phone use in schools are not enough to protect young people. Dr Sudha Rao, a specialist in paediatrics at Aster Clinic in Al Jaddaf, told The National she had seen a noticeable increase…
Doctors in the United Arab Emirates are noticing a significant increase in children experiencing sleep and concentration issues related to excessive screen time. Dr Sudha Rao, a pediatric specialist at Aster Clinic in Al Jaddaf, highlights the growing concern of sleep disruptions caused by prolonged screen use, particularly at night.
These disruptions can lead to fatigue, myopia, and other eye health problems. In addition to physical concerns, behavioral problems such as digital tantrums are also linked to excessive screen use. Health and education experts urge parents to take more responsibility for their children's screen habits, including removing phones and other devices from bedrooms.
Research from Saudi Arabia and Oman supports these concerns, with 66.7% of children using screens for over four hours a day experiencing sleep difficulties, compared to just 9.5% of those who use screens for less than an hour. A study in Oman found that screen-induced visual impairment resulted in a 33.7% rate of poor sleep among students.
Pediatric behavioral reports and school studies authorized by the Dubai Health Authority have shown that children with less than two hours of recreational screen time a day score 20 to 25% higher in attention and memory tasks than those with more than four hours. School leaders argue that the issue lies not only in the amount of screen time but also in the content and how it affects children's development.
Teachers report seeing tiredness, concentration difficulties, and frustration management problems in students. These issues are compounded by the loss of essential developmental experiences due to excessive screen use. Dr Rao advises parents to examine how screen habits impact their children's daily lives, including homework, physical play, family meals, and friendships.
She emphasizes the importance of setting clear boundaries during the day and supporting these boundaries at home. Experts recommend keeping devices out of bedrooms overnight, having screen-free meals, and planning activities after device use to help children transition. Parents are encouraged to remain calm, acknowledge their children's frustration, and provide advance warnings when taking away devices. Setting an example by limiting their own screen time can also help children develop healthy habits.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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